Adjustable flange



L. R. ZIFFERER ADJUSTABLE FLANGE July 17, 1923.

J72 2/622207 L aIwarE. Za'ff r r Filed May 11, 1922 Patented July 17, 1923.

UNITE STATES LOTHAR R. Z IFFERER, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE FLANGE.

Application filed May 11, 1922. Serial No. 560,023.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOTHAR It. Zrrrnnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lancaster, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Flanges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a flange or plate adapted to be secured adjacent a ceiling or wall from which extends a rod or bolt for supporting purposes; more particularly it has reference to a device adapted for use with pipe hangers such asare used in sprinkler systems, the flange being adjustably secured upon the rod adjacent the ceiling to conceal its point of connection therewith.

An exemplification of my invention in a preferred form is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein a Figure 1 is a side elevation of a conventional pipe hanger with an adjustable flange operatively positioned thereupon, the same being illustrated in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the flan e; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical section theret rough with its parts related as when the flange is being removed from the rod.

In the drawing is shown a ceiling A formed of some such material as concrete wherein is embedded oneend of a rod or bolt B which carriers an adjustable hanger C formed with a ring D for the suspension of a pipe E." The manner in which the rod is secured to the ceiling is of relative unimportance to this invention, as is also the particular form of hanger that is used therewith.

Associated with a hanger of the kind described is a flange F adjustable lengthwise of the rod to occupy a position adjacent the ceiling for the purpose of concealing the point of its connection therewith. According to my invention this flange comprises a rigid body 5 that is ornamentally configured to provide a hollow circular chamber having an opening 6 through which the rod may freely pass. The upper edges of the body are suitably turned in to embrace the peripheral edges of a circular plate 7 which is thereby assembled permanently with the body. This plate is preferably formed from spring steel and of a gauge that is smaller than the material which is used for the cut out and notched as at 8 in such a manner as to provide a plurality of flexible tongues 9 each of which terminates in a point 10 that is equidistantly situated from the plate center. The pointed ends of these tongues lie in a circular path which is slightly less in diameter than that of the rod B, thereby necessitating a downward fleXation of the several tongues when the'flange is shoved upwardly against the ceiling, as shown in Fig. 1. The flange so formed will be held in adjusted position lengthwise of the rod through the engagement of the sharp tongue points thereupon, these points tending to bite into the rod whenever any downward pressure is exerted upon the flange. By forming the plate with an odd number of points, all disposed in the same circular path, the flange will automatically be centered upon the rod, and each of the tongue points will engage therewith with a degree of pressure that is substantially equal.

In the installation of pipe hangers such as is shown in Fig. 1, the hanger rods are inserted 111 the ceiling at or before the time the concrete is poured. Thereaftera flange is adjusted upon each rod to the position shown in Fig. 1. Substantially the same procedure is followed if each rod be secured to the ceiling as through the medium of an expansion bolt or other connecting device. The hanger proper is thereafter applied to the threaded end of the rod and the pipe line suspended thereon in. the required position of adjustment.

In case it should be desired to remove any of the present flanges, this may be accomplished by inserting a thin implement between the flange and ceiling and thereafter applying a downward pull suflicient to cause a reversal in the flexing movements of the several spring tongues. As the result of such an operation, the parts will. assume a relation such as is shown in Fig. 3, following which the flange may be completely removed from the rod if this be desired. Except when extreme force is used, however, to reverse the positions of the spring tongues, the flange will stay put as shown in Fig. 1, being held.

firmly against slipping downwardly upon the rod due to the tight impingement of the several tongue points 10.

The construction herein shown and described is one which may be produced and installed economically and expeditiously. Obviously the precise form and method of manufacture of the flange is of relative un importance to this nvent1on, the scope of which 1S to be determined by the claims appended hereto.

thereto in all positions of adjustment thereupon, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a rod, a flange surrounding the seme and adjustable longitudinally thereof, the flange comprising two interlocked metallic parts, one rigid and the other flexible, the latter being provided with a plurality of spring elements adapted to frictionally engage with the rod the rigid part also engaging with the rod and co-operating with the spring elements to maintain the flange in a transverse relation to the rod in all positions of adjustment thereupon, sub stantially as described.

LOTHAR R. ZIFFERER. Witness EPHRAIM BANNING. 

